Electromagnetic telegraph-key.



R. L. BOULTER.

ELECTROMAGNETIC TELEGRAPH KEY.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13. 1914.

Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

4 SHEETSSHEE T l.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPII co-. \VASYHINGTON, D. c.

R. L. BOULTER.

ELECTROMAGNETIC TELEGRAPH KEY. I APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13. 1914.

1,170,796. Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

. 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- THE COLUMBIA PLANouRAPH c0" WASHINGTON. n. c.

R. L. BOULTER. ELECTROMAGNETIC TELEGRAPH KEY.

APPLICATION FILED NOV- 13. 1914- 1,170,796. Patented Feb.8, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- ll i 7 76' 77 Ulllllllllllllllll"Minn-[ll] a THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAP" CD, WASHINGTON, n. c.

R. L. BOULTER.

ELECTROMAGNETIC TELEGRAPH KEY,

' APPLICATION FILED NOV. 13, 1914.

1,170,796. Patented Feb/8,1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH :0, WASHINGTON. D. c.

ROYAL L.- ne a, or Los VANGYELES, oALIFonNIA,

ELECTROMAGNETICTELEGRAPH-KEY,

To all whom it mag concern to electromagnetic telegraph keys. i s

Thepresent invention relates to that class of telegraph keys known as transmitters or vibrators which employ a vibratory reed subject to the control. of an electromagnet which in turn-is controlled by. a key. In instruments of this character the key that controls the energization of the electromagnet need only be pressed to complete the circuit of the electro magnet when one or more dots are to be formed, .as theener-gization. of the electro-magnet sets the reed vibrating and it thereupon forms one or-more dots, as desired, thus" relieving the operator of the repeated finger and wrist movements necessary with the ordinary telegraph key. Instruments of this character are also prodashes,v

Electro-magnetic vibratorsor vtransmitters have, the advantage over transmitters or vibrators where the reed is mechanicallya'ctuated or released by the movement of the key. in that only the slightest touch of the operator is required because the electromagnet performs the work of setting the reed vibrating. 1 i

The present invention preferably employs a, vibratory reed-of the construction and operation, of the mechanically operated .vi bratory reeds of my Patent, N 0. 1,110,373, dated September 15, 1914 and my'application, Serial N 0. 854,562, filed August 1, 1914, such reed being set into vibration by the employment of an electro-magnet and armature controlled bynovel keys, and-a novel arrangement of keys as vwill appear more fully hereinafter. I wish it understood,

vided with a keyfor the formation of however, that I consider my improvedkeys and novel arrangementthereof to be susceptible of use on an instrument having ar' vibratory .reed of any preferred or desired construction and that they are not limited to use in connection with a vibratory reed of the particular construction hereinafter set forth. i

v Specification of L'e't'trsratmf 1.

Patented Fae, 19M,

7 Application filed November 13,1914, -Ser'ia1-1 To.87- 1,938.

Heretofore transmitters have been .gener- 'ally prov-lde'd; with: laterally movable keys. Insomemstances these keys have been both carried by; the same'i key lever or vibra'tor actuator, while in other instances, separate keys have beenprovided, oneformechanically.actuating'the reed and thefotherfor forming dashes as, for instance, inthe telegraph keys of. mylatents Nos. 1,074,831, d

October 7,2 1913'; 1,109,818, September 8, 1914; 1,11 0,3 73, September 15, 1914. In rapid sending where two separate keys are use tion"of certain letters the tendency is to operate the key-.so fast'that two dashes, as

in the letter M, for instance, are run-into,

one long dash; or a dot, space, and dot, as in the letter O", for'instance, are run too close together \with the elimination of the intermediate-space and in thecase of an.

O l, an l has been formed;

'The rockerkeys of the present invention it has been found thatin the forma-.

overcome and render impossible the running together'of short dashes into a long dash or the merging of 'dotsor the omission of spaces between dots. The novel rocker keyvwhich'i's set forth fully-hereinafter in sures the necessary space between the letters and the combinations which goto make up the letters and enable the operator, regards less foflthe speed of his sending, to correctly form all letters which 'conduces to correct 7 receiving at the other end of the line.

Myimproved rocker keys are duplex and are arranged to c'ompletethe circuit at one end or the other'of each key; according to which end is depressed, but without permitting the making of a contactat one end of the key to lap over on orinterfere with the making of a contact at theother end there with. Combined withthese keys are adjusting means andlir'niting devices, whereby a careful and'delicate adjustment will result in the elimination of all idle' play and the key will normally'stand'in neutral, non-contactingposition so that the circuit maybe closed by depressing either end of the key.

Another feature of the present invention is the-relative arrangement of tworocker keyaone for the formation of dots and the other forthe'formation' ofdashes and, particularly,"anarrangement whereby the operator will use the first and second fingers of both of his-hands when sending, for ithas been found thatfinorder to afford a certain rhythm to ones sending and to permit each operator to express his individuality in his lvlorse, first one hand and then the other should be used and that the same hand should not be used for two successive operations. In the operation of the keys in makin g the letter A, which is a dot and a dash, the operator would first make the dot with the left hand, for instance, and then a dash with the right, or vice versa, and in forming this letter he would use both the dot and the dash keys, the dot key being operated by the second finger of one hand and the dash key operated by the forefinger of the other hand. if, for instance, in coming to the end of a word which is being sent, if the last 0peration was with the right hand, the operator would begin the neXt word with his left hand whether it started with a dot or a dash. With my improved rocker keys and the relative arrangement of the dot and dash keys, the work of sending is distributed evenly between the two bands of the operator and he thus is enabled to minimize the nervous and muscular strains incident to sending, as also to more or less play upon the keys so that sending becomes somewhat of a subconscious operation.

I wish it understood that as I consider myself the first to provide rocker keys constructed and also relatively arranged as hereinbefore explained and hereinafter specifically pointed out in connection with the disclosures of the drawings, I lay claim to this construction and arrangement broadly without limitation to the specific form of vibrator, electro-magnet, or other parts used in connection with the keys to form the complete instrument.

In keys of the vibratory reed type, it is preferable to insure correct sending that the reed immediately cometo a state of rest when either its mechanical actuation by a key or electro-magnetic actuation has ceased in order that it may be conditioned to instantly and correctly respond to a subse quent actuation. Heretofore it has been proposed to employ loosely mounted back stops or buffers to arrest the reed on its release. .The present invention also contemplates the provision of an improved pivoted back stop whose resistance can be adjusted at will and which will instantly stop every flutter of the vibratory reed when the latter is released, thereby preventing accidental formation of characters and conditioning the vibrator for another operation.

I do not lay claim herein to the construction of the vibratory reed, nor to its manner of pivoting and its spring retraction, nor the improved arrangement of contacts, as these are set forth and claimed in my Patent No. 1,110,373, September 15,1914, and my application Serial No. 854,562, filed August 1, 1914.

I am aware that changes Within the spirit and scope of the inventive features and combinations of the present invention could be resorted to and I do not, therefore, limit myself to details except where particularly specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view, dotted lines illustrating the position of the hands when operating the instrument; Figs. 2 and 3, opposite side elevations; Fig. 4, a bottom plan, dotted lines representing the main base; Fig. 5, a partly sectional, partly full line 'view showing the keys and their bases and insulation; Fig. 6, a detail of the pivotal mounting for the vi bratory reed; Fig. 7, a detail of the back stop with certain parts in section; Fig. 8, a detail cross-section through the insulated contact support of the vibratory reed; and Fig. 9, a diagram of the circuit connections.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the instrument is provided with a main base 1 and supplemental base 2, the former being hollow, as shown in Fig. 4, for the accommodation of the conductor cord 3 of the local circuit and conductor cord 4 of the line circuit when disposed beneath the supplemental base 2, and these cords run out loosely through an aperture 5 to their respective plugs or jacks 6 and 7 One terminal of the cord 4 is detachably connected by a clip 8 to the base 1 so that the base 1 which is of metal and is suitably screwed to the supplemental base 2, constitutes a common return for the vibratory reed 9 and the adjustable contact screws 10 and 1-1 of the dash key 12, as will be evident from the diagram shown in Fig. 9, where dotted lines are shown to indicate that the base 2 constitutes a common return to one branch of the main line 4. A circuit closer 13 is directly mounted on the metallic base 2 to permanently close the main line circuit through the plate 14 which is insulated from base 1 by a sheet of insulation 15 and is connected to the other terminal of the cord 4, such terminal being insulated from the base 2 and being shown at 16. The terminal. clips 8 and 16 are detachable, as are also the terminal clips 17 and 18 of the cord 3, the latter clips being insulated from the metal base 2 and one of them leading to the electro-magnet 19, while the other connects to a metal strip 20, insulated from base 2 and in turn connected by metal strip 21 beneath base 2. Through the ends of the metal strip 21 and through insulating bushings 22 extend the adjustable dot contact screws 23 arranged tocooperate with the dot key 24 whichis carried by a metal base 25 mounted upon a sheet of insulating material 26 which is superposed upon the metal plate 14 and is connected by circuit 27 to electro-magnet 19.

1 preferably provide the base 2 superposed on and detachably connected to the base 1 and employ the loosely arranged cords 3 and 4 so that these cords may normally lie in'the hollow upper face of the base 1, but on removal of the base 2, the said cords may be readily pulled through the opening 5 so that there will be ample opportunity to inspect, adjust or disconnect the connections for the cords 3 and 4.

The adjustable dot contact 28 which cooperates with the contact 53 on the vibratory reed 9, is insulated from the upperdeck30 at 31 and electrically connected by a metal 7 piece 32 to the plate 14, thereby directly placing the contact 28 in electrical connection with the said plate and through it to the clip 16 to which one terminal ofthe. cord 4 of-the main line is connected. The deck 30 is supported by pillars 33, two of which extend considerably thereabove, as shown at 34 and are connected by a yoke 35.

The vibratory reed 9 which is substantially the same construction as that disclosed in my co-pending application, Serial No. 854,562, is of resilient material throughout and is connected to plates 37 preferably by riveting, and these plates have a trunnion 38 Whose upper tip is journale d in a screw 39, while its lower end or point is received in a concavity in the deck 30, whereby the vibratory reed is pivotally mounted. To an extension 4070f the plates 37 is suitably se- Zcured a vertically disposed armature 41 which is arranged in line with the poles of magnet 19. The vibratory reed-'9 is directly and positively spring-retracted by a compression coil spring 42 which engagesthe extension 40,.the latter being provided with ,an-aperture 43 to receive one tip of said spring, while the other tip thereof is entered in the hollow end of an adjusting screw 44 which is threaded through a bracket carried by one of the pillars 34. By this means, the retracting tension of the spring on the vibratory reed 9 may be changed at will. It

will be seen, therefore, that the vibratory reed 9 is normally retracted to the position shown in Fig. 1 solely by the action of said spring 42.

Secured between the plates 37 is a tapping spring 45 which is resilient throughout its length and projects freely from between said plates and lies in an open portion v46 of the reed 9. The free end of-this tapping spring is provided with a stop orarrester 47 which overlaps the reed and is adapted V to bear against it, duetozthe resillency of said spring 45. Spring 45 isprovided'with a-contact 48 adapted to cotiperate withthe tip '49 of an adjustable contact screw 50'for the purpose of automatically forming. aplurality ofdots, when the armature is attract- .ed by the electro-magnet 19. The screw 50 is: carried by a rod or tube 51 which is slidably mounted in a block 52 so thatthe said :rodortube can be moved lengthwisein re- ,said arrester 47, which is ,ln turn communilation to the length of the reed 9. Consequently, a very fine relative adjustment of passes the screw-threadedstem 55 which has a'head56 provided Witha hole of approxi- -matelv the same size as the hole in theblock 52 which receives a rodor tube 51, andithe rod or tube 51. passes. through the said hole. Insulating washers 57 and anut58 on the screw. 55, asalso a metallic washer-59, afi'ord means for clamping the parts together so that the block 52 and zrodlor tube 5.1 will be firmlysecured, in any suitable position,

in relation to the reed.. It Will.be;observed,

however, that the block 52 is pivotally mountedon the part 56 and, consequently,

the contacts-canberaised or {lowered onreleasingthenutand 011 againclampingthe nut, they will be held in adjusted position,

wherebyup and downadjustment, in addi-v tion to .the longitudinal adjustment here- :tofore referred to, is obtainable.- A very fine adjustment of. theccontact mechanismis,

therefore, insured. When-the reed 9 ismoved by'the ene-rgi-zaltlOIl of the electro-magnet l9, thecontacts 5'3 and.28 are brought together. If but a single dot istotbemade, the key 24 having been released bythe operator, :the electro magnet 19 .will be at once deenergized and only one dot results, but if the operator :holds the key 24 depressed, theiarrest of the reed 9;by the engagementof contacts 53 and 28 causes the reedto vibrate, whereupon it repeatedly separates from and strikes the stop or a-rrester 47 by alternate movements and thusexercises at-applngmovement on cated to.the flexiblemember 45, resulting in .the contact 48 alternately repeatedly striking and disengaging from the contact 49,

thus automatically forming a 'succession of dots. 'During this vibration of the reed 9, the contacts 53 and 28 remain engaged. Immediately the key 24 ,is released, the'local circuit 3 is broken and the magnet 19 becomes deenergized, whereupon the'reed is re- .tractedbythe action of the'coil spring 42.

The reed 1 is. provided with an elongated slot 60rto permit adjustment of. the bob or-weight ,61. -By shifting the bob or weightfilato L wvliereupon-thel circuit of themain line circuit 4. is repeatedly opened and closed, 1

different positions, the rapidity of vibration of the reed may be increased or diminished.

To instantly stop all fluttering or vibration of the reed 9, immediately the electromagnet is de'e'nergized, I provide a back stop 62 which is pivotally mounted in pillars (53 and has a bar of suflicient length to re ceive the impact of the bob 61 wherever the latter may be positioned. The back stop is provided with a depending part 6% which has a lateral arm 65 located below the deck 30 and carrying an adjustable weight 66. The amplitude of movement of the depending part 6% may be controlled, as desired, by adjustable abutments 67 carried by the under face of deck 30'. By adjusting the play of the back stop and moving the weight 66 to the proper position, the cushioning action of the back stop may be regulated so that the reed will immediately come to rest when the magnet is deenergized.

The keys 12 and 241 are constructed and -mounted in the same manner and their tension devices and stops are of the same construction and cooperate with them in the same fashion. A. description of one of these keys and its allied parts will, therefore, alone be given. The key is provided at opposite ends with finger pieces 68 and 69 and with contacts 70 and 71. The contact 70 of the key 12 is adapted to strike the contact 10 and the contact 71 to strike the contact 11. The corresponding contacts of the key 2 1 strike the contacts 23. Each key is pivoted intermediate its ends. In the case of the key 2 1, a yoke 72 is secured to the base 25 and with the key 12, a similar yoke 73 is secured to the plate 14-. Pivoted trunnions 7 1 are slidably connected to the yoke by clamping screws 75, their points entering concavities 76 in opposite sides of the key. Each key is flanked by tension and stop bars 7 7 which are loosely mounted on the trunnion 74:. Carried by these bars are tension screws 7 8 which receive the tip of a coil spring 79 whose other end enters an aperture 80 in the base plate below. Threaded through the opposite end of the bar is a stop screw 81 which is adapted to strike the base plate to limit the swing imparted to the bar by the spring aforesaid. This screw passes loosely through a stop 82 which overlies the key. A nut 83 on the screw clamps the stop against the top of the bar-and also serves as a set nut for the screw. The screw, therefore, has the double function of holding the, stop and limiting the swing of the bar. The arrangement of the bars is such that the respective stops 82 are arranged on opposite sides of the pivotal point of the key and the springs are arranged transversely opposite the said stops. In consequence of this construction, the key is normally held by the springs and the screws in an intermediate or neutral position and the circuit is broken.

lVhen either key button or finger piece is depressed, the key will rock on its trunnions and complete the circuit through the contacts, but immediately it is released, it will resume its neutral position. It will be understood that the same circuit is completed by the key 12, regardless of which end thereof is depressed, as will be apparent from Fig. 9. Similarly, the circuit of the electro magnet will be completed, regardless of whichever end of the key 2 1 is depressed. It will be observed that the key 12 is used for the formation of dashes and the key 2% for the making of dots.

lVhen the instrument is used, it faces the operator in the position shown in Fig. 1 and the operator employs both hands in manipulating the keys 12 and 2 1, as shown by dotted lines in said Fig. 1, the forefinger of the operators hands being adapted to cotiperate with the buttons at the opposite ends of the key lever '12 and the second fingers with the buttons at the ends of key levers 24%. As each key is mounted intermediate its ends, it is impossible for the finger of one hand to make a dot or dash so close to the dot or dash formed by the finger of the other hand that there will be any merging of dots, elimination of spaces, or merging of short dashes. It will be observed that the key lever 12 is shorter than key lever 24: to enable the fingers of the operator to naturally assume their positions on the key buttons while the arms of the operator are in natural position.

lVere the buttons of the two keys spaced the same distance apart, the arms of the operator would be in an unnatural position and sending would be difficult. In operating the instrument, the same hand should not be used for two successive operations. For instance, in making A, which is a dot and a dash, the dot is made by using the second finger of the left hand, let it be assumed, and then the dash by depressing the right hand end of lever 12 by the forefinger of the right hand, or vice versa. In coming to the end of a word, if the last operation was with the right hand, the next operation would be with the left hand, regardless of whether a dot or a dash is to be formed.

With an arrangement of keys as set forth, the operation of sending is evenly distributed between the fingers of the two hands and the strain on the nerves and muscles is minimized, thereby very greatly lessening the occurrence of telegraphers paralysis. After a little experience, the operator naturally sends with both hands and, in effect, plays on the keys. This enables perfection in sending with both hands so that if one of an operators hands has become disabled, he is not thereby incapacitated for service. However, as the depression of either end of key 12 will form a dash and, similarly, the depression of either'end' of key 245, a dot, the operator can send by using but one hand, inwhich event, the instrument is turnedvto face the operator at right angles tothe position shown in Fig. 1'. c I The electro-magnet 19 is carried by a yoke 84 which rises from parallel guide rods 85 slidable in guides 86; 5 One of the guide rods is provided with screw-threads 87 on which are adjusting nuts 88 which enable the magnet to be adjustedone way or the other by their cooperation" with one of the guides aforesaid, thus enabling" the poles of the magnet to' be brought'as close or as far away'from the armature as .de-

sired, according to the strength of the current and existing conditions.

It will be observed that in my invention the electro-magnet is in the normally open and deenergized circuit 3 which includes the dot key 24: and hence is distinguished" from those electromagnetic transmitters heretofore known which either embody an electro-magnet in the normally energized circuit, or, where th'e'vibrator is mechanically held or controlled by the operating key. In my invention, the current for the electro-magnet is only used when the dot key is depressed, Which results in very, sllght consumption of'current, and because the circuit is local, a light current can be used to afford a very strong magnetic attraction on the armature of the vibrator, is not subject to main line troubles, etc. Furthermore, in my invention, the operation of the vibrator is a positive vone when the dot key is depressed, becausethe ele'ctro: magnet positively attracts the armatureand' movable inherently vibrative reed, a spring for normally retracting said reed, electrical contacts controlled by the reed, an electromagnet for actuating the reed, and a key controlling the electro-magnet.

2. In an electromagnetic telegraph key, the combination of a pivoted and bodily movable inherently vibrative reed, a spring for normally retracting saidreed, normally open electrical contacts which are closed and opened when the reed is actuated, an electro-magnet for actuating the reed, and

y a key controlling the electro-magnet.

3; In an electro-magnetic telegraph key, a vibratory reed, electrical contacts controlled thereby, an electro-magnet for actuating the reed, a normally open key, and a local circuit including the magnet and the key, whereby said magnet is normally (lei-energized, said reed being pivoted, and a spring'cotipera-ting with the reed adapted to retract it 'so that it is normally condi tioned" for actuation the elec tro-magnet. ft. In a telegraph. key, the combination With a vibrator, of a pivoted, rocking back stop cotiperating with the vibrator, and

means for regulating at willthe resistance afforded by saidback stop. I

5. In a telegraph key, the combination witha vibrator,fof a pivoted, rocking back stop cooperating with the vibrator, and.

means. for regulating the resistance aliorded by" said. back stop consisting of a laterally extendingv arm and a bob or weight adjustably mounted on said arm and adapted to be,

held-"at different positionsthereon. 6. In a telegraph key,'a rockably mounte key lever, electric circuit controlling con-- tacts adapted'tocooperate with the lever on I opposite sidesof its mounting, and means 7 for normally maintaining the key lever in neutral and open position. in relation to both contacts, I

7; In a telegraph key, arockably mounted key lever, contacts adapted to cooperate with; the lever on opposite sides of its mounting,

independently adjustable springs cooperat- 'ing with the key lever on opposite sides of its fulcrum, and stops cooperating with the key on opposite sides of'its fulcrum, where by the key may be tensioned as desired and normally maintained in neutral or non-contacting position. I

8. In a telegraph key, a rockably mounted key lever, contacts adapted to cooperate with the lever on opposite sides of its mounting, rockable bars, springs cooperating with one fend part of each of the bars, and stops cooperating with the opposite ends of the bars and also with the key lever on opposite sides of its fulcrum, whereby one bar and its spring and stop controls the movement of thekey lever in one direction and the other bar and its spring and stop controls 7 the movement of the key lever in the opposite direction, said bars, springs and stops being adapted to maintain the key lever in neutral and noncontacting position.

9. In an electro-magnetic telegraph key, the combination with a vibratory reed and electrical contacts controlled thereby, of an electro-magnet controlling the vibratory reed, contacts respectively in circuit with the electro-magnet, and a duplex rocker key adapted to remain normally in neutral position or non-contacting relation to the aforesaid contacts and for movement to engage one or the other of said contacts at a a v. 51mins n? a .ufiuRJe 1 nattv nt-cssrw v we given time, whereby said electro-magnet may be controlled by rocking the duplex key in one direction or the other.

10. In an electromagnetic telegraph key, the combination with a vibratory reed and electrical contacts controlled thereby, of an electro-magnet controlling the vibratory reed, contacts respectively in circuit with the electro-magnet, a duplex rocker key adapted to remain normally in neutral position or non-contacting relation to the aforesaid contacts and for movement to engage one or the other of said contacts at a given time, whereby said electro-magnet may be controlled by rocking the duplex key in one direction or the other, a line circuit adapted to be opened and closed by said vibratory reed, and a duplex rocking key in the line circuit and adapted for forming dashes, said key embodying contacts adapted to be individually engaged according as the key is rocked in one direction or the other, said dash key having means for maintaining it normally in neutral and noncontacting position.

11. In a telegraph key, the combination With dot-forming means and a line circuit subject thereto, of a duplex dot key controlling the dot-forming means, and a duplex dash key for sending dashes over the line circuit, said keys being each adapted for use by either or both of the hands of the operator.

12. In a telegraph key, the combination with dot-forming means and a line circuit subject thereto, of a duplex rocker dot key, contacts for each end portion thereof controlling the dot-forming means, a duplex rocker dash key, and contacts for each end portion thereof for sending dashes over the line circuit, said keys being arranged in juxtaposition and each adapted for use by either or both of the hands of the operator.

13. In an electro-magnetic telegraph key, the combination with a vibratory reed, of an electro-magnet controlling said reed, dotlorming contacts controlled by the reed, a line circuit, independent duplex dot and dash keys having means for maintaining them in neutral non-contacting position, contacts for the respective keys, whereby the circuit may be controlled on the operation of either part of either duplex key, the aforesaid duplex dot and dash keys being arranged in juxtaposition so that they are adapted for operation by both hands of the operator.

14. A telegraph key comprising duplex normally non-contacting dot-sending and dash-sending instrumentalities arranged in juxtaposition to adapt them for conjoint operation by either one hand or both hands of the operator.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROYAL L. BOULTER.

Witnesses:

F. A. RUENITZ, J. RAY CARSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, .by addressing the Commissioner of Eatcnts,

Washington, D. C. 

